Edinburgh roads closed and public urged to avoid area as firefighters tackle fire at block of flats

Members of the public have been urged to avoid the area around Whitson Road in Balgreen, which runs along the tram line behind Saughton Park, which is currently closed while emergency services deal with the blaze.

Police Scotland said a report of a fire was made at around 10.45am and surrounding access roads have been closed as a result.

A video taken shortly after crews arrived on the scene shows smoke billowing from a top floor flat. The footage also shows a heavy emergency services presence in the area, with at least six fire engines and three ambulances at the scene.

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A man, who lives in a flat down the street from the affected property, said: “I could smell smoke from my flat and then saw a police car zooming down the street.

“Then I saw the black smoke and flames billowing out the top floor window of the flat. They started moving everyone out. I just hope everyone’s okay.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said three fire appliances and “a number of additional resources” have been sent to the scene to battle the blaze.

A police spokesperson said: “Emergency services are in attendance following a fire at a block of flats in the Whitson Road area of Edinburgh, which was reported around 10.45am on Monday, 4 May, 2026.

“Whitson Road and the surrounding access roads are currently closed.

“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area at this time.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We are currently in attendance at a fire affecting a block of flats on Whitson Road, Edinburgh.

“Three fire appliances and a number of addition resources are in attendance. Road closures are currently in place and people are being advised to avoid the area at this time.”